Petition created to reinstate Guilford Co. Schools spring break

GUILFORD COUNTY, N.C. — An online petition to encourage the Guilford County School Board to reverse a decision that would cut into the upcoming spring break is gaining support.

The petition has received more than 9,000 signatures. It asks the school board to forgo using spring break to make up four snow days. It would leave the school district with just Friday, April 18, as the only day of the scheduled spring break that students and teachers would get off.

Some parents are OK with the move.

“The kids were out of school unnecessarily,” said Linda Pretlow, who has five kids in the district. “They’re missing out on basic education and they need to make up the time.”

Others said they would seek out the petition and sign it.

“Children are tired, parents are tired” said Michelle Benton, a parent of a Mendenhall Middle School student. “They need that moment before the [state tests begin] to get themselves settled, give them some recreation.”

The decision was made earlier this month following the 10th snow day this school year. Only nine days are built into the school calendar.

The person behind that petition, who wished to remain anonymous when contacted by FOX8, planned to take that petition to the school board meeting Thursday night.

That person is also behind an effort to get parents, students and teachers to speak at the meeting about the need to reinstate the annual week long break from school.

Dr. Sandra Alexander, of the school board, said the board is in agreement that this has to be done and does not see a better, alternative solution available.

13 comments

t

loren

How come we cannot add one hour on during the time they are in school, save money at the same time, And the kids and parents get their break. The class attendance will be small and half of the teacher wont be there anyway. Some made already plan.Make sense save money and they get their break.

Cinderella

Well, there goes your deposit for a hotel at the beach or a drive to Florida for a condo for a week. If both my children were still going to Guilford County Schools, I would be enraged. I am sure parents are still going to take their already paid for vacations. It will just be a shame that the children won’t be there and yes, miss some much needed teaching time. I’m on the outside looking in on this one.

It’s poor planning on the part of the parents. Every winter is different and there is always the possibility that spring break could end up being used for make-up days. Everyone should have known that this was a possibility. My parents never took us on a trip during spring break, or immediately after school let out for the summer, that could not be postponed for a later date.

Besides, these parents need to set a better example by acting like the adults that they are, and stop whining like their kids do.

dewey

“Children are tired, parents are tired” said Michelle Benton
…..tired of what?? they need recreation?? what were they doing while they were out of school??…I bet you they didn’t learn a dang thing, that’s for sure. it’s parents like this this that have caused the “wussification” of the last 2 generations of kids. I remember when “school” didn’t give a d a m n about how I felt, I was there to learn…it wasn’t a fashion show….it wasn’t an electronics show and you best treat your elders with respect….nowadays, parents try to hard to be their childs “friend”….completely forgot that they are supposed to be raising the imbecile

dewey

“Children are tired, parents are tired” said Michelle Benton
…..tired of what?? they need recreation?? what were they doing while they were out of school??…I bet you they didn’t learn a dang thing, that’s for sure. it’s parents like this this that have caused the “wussification” of the last 2 generations of kids. I remember when “school” didn’t give a d @ m n about how I felt, I was there to learn…it wasn’t a fashion show….it wasn’t an electronics show and you best treat your elders with respect….nowadays, parents try to hard to be their childs “friend”….completely forgot that they are supposed to be raising the imbecile

Kelly Lee

Its crazy as I sit here and read these comments. And how some of you are not compassionate. You know these “teachers” you talk so little of are there in the early mornings and late evenings planning and setting up things through out the school for your children. The schools head custodian is in before 5:30 am to make sure the school is warm in these winters and everything is running properly. The cafeteria staff is there about 5 45 or 6 am making sure you children have breakfast in the am, Do you really think they wanted to lose their time with their families due to some snow that no one predicted correctly.Other counties in N.C. have forgiven these days, why can’t Guilford County, makes no sense to me.Its not fair to these hard working staff to have to give their hard earned money and time because of some snow and ice that the good lord put here. Honestly you parents who want the kids in school I have just decided that you see school as a babysitter so you don’t have to worry about them during them days on holidays and if you didn’t make plans that’s your fault but some people that work in the schools families aren’t in this area and unlike the rest of you, They would love to see their families during this holiday break, I think its very thoughtless when you think these teacher shouldn’t get more pay and respect. They deal with all kinds of personalities all day Monday thru Friday, while some of you have no clue what is going on the disrespect you show them is the same your child does when they are in school. I feel they deserve their little break and us a parents should just deal with the fact that we just have to deal with our “little angels”.